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The main aim of this study was to compare bone health parameters in young active sprinters and young active men. Twenty-six young sprinters and 26 young men participated in this study. Weight and height were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Body composition, whole body (WB) BMC, lumbar spine (L1–L4) BMD, total hip (TH) BMD and forearm BMD were evaluated by DXA. Physical performance variables, daily calcium intake, daily protein intake and physical activity level were assessed. Age, height, lean mass, WB BMC and forearm BMD were not significantly different between the two groups. L1–L4 BMD, TH BMD, vertical jump and maximal strength of the lower limbs were higher in sprinters compared to active men. The current study suggests that sprinters have higher lumbar spine and hip BMD values compared to active men. The current study has several implications in the field of prevention of osteoporosis in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aims: To assess the efficiency of an ambulatory weight management programme of pediatric obesity, including 1 gymnastic session per week, on body composition and physical fitness (max). Subjects: Fifteen adolescents participated in the 9-month intervention. BMI and fitness and physical activity assessed by a questionnaire were evaluated at baseline, and after intervention. Results: Prepubescent subjects (N =6): no significant change of BMI, body composition, nor max. Pubescent subjects: significant decrease of BMI, and z score BMI, and % fat mass, increase of fat free mass. Activity questionnaire: non-significant trend to decreased TV watching, significant increase in practice of physical activity during weekend. Conclusion: A modest increase in physical practice, included in the dietary-behavioural management of adolescent obesity, is able to improve overweight and physical fitness. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The purpose of this study was to compare bone health parameters (bone mineral content [BMC], bone mineral density [BMD], geometric indices of femoral neck [FN] strength (cross-sectional area [CSA], cross-sectional moment of inertia [CSMI], section modulus [Z], buckling ratio [BR] and strength index [SI]) and composite indices of FN strength (compression strength index [CSI], bending strength index [BSI], and impact strength index [ISI])) in middle-aged inactive men (n = 25) and middle-aged former basketball players (n = 18). The participants of the study were 43 middle-aged men; their ages ranged from 38 to 52 years. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to evaluate body composition, BMD and geometric indices of FN strength. Composite indices of FN strength (CSI, BSI, and ISI) were calculated. Physical performance tests were used to evaluate the vertical jump (VJ), horizontal jump (HJ), triple jump (TJ), maximum power (MP) of the lower limbs (watts), maximal squat strength, maximal bench press strength, maximal leg extension strength, maximal barbell curl strength, maximal triceps extension strength, sprint performance (10 meters), and maximum oxygen consumption (VO 2 max, L/min). WB BMC, WB BMD, L1-L4 BMD, CSA, CSMI and Z were significantly higher in former basketball players compared to inactive men. MP, TJ, VJ, maximal squat strength and maximal bench press strength were significantly higher in former basketball players compared to inactive men. The present study suggests that former basketball practice is associated with greater bone health parameters in middle-aged men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Introduction: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of weight-bearing physical activity practice on bone mass and regional distribution of bone mass in a group of young men. Summary of facts: Fifteen young athletes (aged 23.3±4.8years) practising different kinds of sports (basketball, soccer, volleyball, and running) and 20 young sedentary men (aged 22.4±5.5years) participated in this study. Body weight and height were measured, and body mass index was calculated. Body composition (lean mass, fat mass and fat mass percentage) and bone mineral density (BMD) of the whole body (WB), the lumbar spine (L2–L4), the total hip (TH), the femoral neck (FN) and the total forearm (TF) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The ratios head BMD/WB BMD, L2–L4 BMD/WB BMD, TH BMD/WB BMD and TF BMD/WB BMD were calculated. WB BMD, L2–L4 BMD, TH BMD, FN BMD and TH BMD/WB BMD were higher in athletes compared to the controls while TF BMD, head BMD/WB BMD, L2–L4 BMD/WB BMD and TF BMD/WB BMD were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that weight-bearing physical activity has a positive influence on BMD and can also influence bone mass distribution in young men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the associations between physical activity level and composite indices of femoral neck strength in a group of young overweight and obese Lebanese men. Eighty overweight and obese (body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m2) young men whose ages range between 18 and 35 years participated in this study. Weight and height were measured, and BMI was calculated. Body composition and femoral neck (FN) bone mineral density were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Compressive strength index (CSI), bending strength index (BSI) and impact strength index (ISI) were calculated. Physical activity level was evaluated by the global physical activity questionnaire (GPAQ). Maximum oxygen consumption (VO 2 max, in L/min) was measured using a valid device. Weight, BMI, fat mass and fat mass percentage were negatively correlated to CSI, BSI and ISI. Physical activity level (h/week) was positively correlated to CSI, BSI and ISI while VO 2 max (mL/min/kg) was positively correlated to CSI and ISI. The positive associations between physical activity and composite indices of femoral neck strength (CSI, BSI and ISI) remained significant after adjustment for body weight. Our study conducted on overweight and obese men shows that physical activity level is a positive determinant of composite indices of femoral neck strength. In overweight men, increasing physical activity level may help to prevent osteoporotic fractures later in life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Introduction: The aim of this study was to identify the strongest anthropometric predictors of bone mineral density (BMD) in a group of healthy Lebanese subjects aged 13 to 25 years. Summary of facts: This study included 84 males and 74 females. Body composition and BMD were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). BMD of the whole body (WB), the lumbar spine (L2-L4), the total hip (TH) and the femoral neck (FN) was measured by DXA. Using multivariate analysis, lean mass was the strongest anthropometrical predictor of WB, lumbar spine, TH and FN BMD in males. In females, using multivariate analysis, lean mass was the strongest anthropometrical predictor of WB and FN BMD, and body weight was the strongest anthropometrical predictor of lumbar spine and TH BMD. Conclusion: This study suggests that lean mass is the strongest anthropometrical predictor of BMD in males, and both lean mass and body weight are strong anthropometrical predictors of BMD in females. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]